No, lightning is not as fast as light. While the flash we see from a lightning strike travels at the speed of light, the actual lightning bolt moves much slower.
Understanding the Speed Differences
It's important to distinguish between the visual flash and the physical strike. The speed discrepancy is considerable.
| Feature | Speed |
|---|---|
| Visual Flash | Speed of light (670,000,000 mph) |
| Lightning Strike | 270,000 mph |
How Fast is a Lightning Strike, Really?
According to the reference, a lightning strike travels at approximately 270,000 mph.
- Example: At this speed, it would take roughly 55 minutes for lightning to travel to the moon.
- Example: It would take about 1.5 seconds for lightning to travel from London to Bristol.
Key Takeaway
The light we see moves at light speed, but the electrical discharge of a lightning strike is far slower.
